Industry Playbook · Exporters

    GST Registration for Exporters

    Exporters of goods and services get GST at 0% (zero-rated) — but only after filing LUT (Letter of Undertaking) or paying IGST upfront and claiming refund. Working capital blockage is the single biggest exporter pain point that LUT solves.

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    Why Exporters need GST registration

    • Enterprise and B2B clients require a valid GSTIN before onboarding — exporters without GST lose deals.
    • Input Tax Credit (ITC) on office rent, software, equipment and marketing spend directly reduces tax outflow.
    • Voluntary registration below the ₹20L / ₹40L threshold is common when serving inter-state or international clients.
    • Payment aggregators (Razorpay, Stripe) and marketplaces auto-collect TCS — GSTIN is needed for reconciliation.
    • Compliance readiness for investor due diligence, bank loans and government tenders.

    Scheme choice for Exporters

    Regular scheme mandatory for exports.

    HSN / SAC codes typically used

    CodeDescriptionGST rate
    998314Export of IT / SaaS services0% (LUT)
    998311Export of consulting0% (LUT)
    6109 / 6110Export of garments0% (LUT)
    3004Export of pharma formulations0% (LUT)
    0901Export of coffee / spices0% (LUT)

    Top 5 pain points Exporters face

    • 1Without LUT, exports need upfront IGST payment — refund cycle is 60–90 days.
    • 2LUT is FY-specific — must be re-filed every April.
    • 3Foreign inward remittance certificate (FIRC) reconciliation is essential for refund claim.
    • 4SEZ supplies are zero-rated but need separate documentation (Bill of Export).
    • 5Deemed exports (supply to EOU, project authority) follow different refund route.

    ITC strategy for Exporters

    • Claim full ITC on inputs used for exports — no reversal needed under zero-rating.
    • File LUT within 15 days of GSTIN for hassle-free export invoicing.
    • Monthly refund of accumulated ITC via RFD-01 form.

    Compliance calendar

    Return / formDue dateNotes
    GSTR-111th of next monthOutward supply — invoice-wise details.
    GSTR-3B20th of next monthSummary return + tax payment.
    GSTR-931 December (next FY)Annual return (turnover > ₹2Cr).
    LUT (if exports)Annually in AprilZero-rated export enabler.

    Start GST registration for your exporters business

    Flat ₹999. CA-led. GSTIN in 3–7 days. First return filed free.

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    Where Exporters register GST most

    City-specific GST Registration guides for exporters — jurisdiction, address-proof nuance and on-ground pickup, priced flat ₹999.

    GST Registration for Exporters — FAQs

    FAQs

    Search or filter by category. Still unsure? A senior CA replies on WhatsApp within minutes.

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    Last Updated
    15 September 2026

    Content refreshed against the latest CBIC / CBDT / MCA notifications and portal changes.

    Reviewed by Chartered Accountant
    CA Ravi Sharma

    Chartered Accountant · ICAI Member · 12+ years in Indian tax & compliance

    Update History
    1. 15 September 2026
      Reviewed rates, forms and portal workflow for GST Registration by Industry. Verified against latest CBIC/CBDT notifications.
    2. 10 January 2026
      Refreshed FAQ set, added new penalty examples and jurisdiction notes.
    3. 05 October 2025
      Structural rewrite for EEAT — added expert commentary, playbooks and process timeline.